MS3 Case Study

November 01, 2016

In any industry, effective communication is essential to have as a leader in order to better lead your team(s). When working on projects, for example, having open communication will ensure you and your team members are all on the same page and can deliver results on time. Though open communication is a great way to foster effective communication, leaders should also solicit feedback, lead by example, and understand their audience to strengthen their communication habits. Take a look at a recent Think IT PMO meeting recap on the topic!

What makes a team so strong and an organization so successful? The group at last week’s Think IT Project Management Office meeting agreed that having a common understanding among employees about the goals they are working toward achieving is a contributing factor to this success. Not only do you need everyone on the same page about what needs to get done, but you also need everyone working together on the same strategy in order to make that happen. There were four helpful tips shared by the group as to how exactly a leader and their team can go about communicating.

Regular Communication Practices Communication

The best way to determine how the team is working together and what challenges they may be facing is to schedule time to discuss regularly. This gives a leader the opportunity to build relationships with their team and to really get an idea of how things are going with the project. Knowledge is power; the more you know the better equipped you are to face any challenges that may occur.

Communicating with your team on a regular basis also allows for trust to build between managers and employees. Without trust, how confident will you be that your team can finish a project? What would make them believe you have their best interest in mind when making decisions? Providing a safe environment for employees to bring ideas or concerns to was suggested as one of the most important steps in building that trust. It was also discussed that remaining transparent with your team is critical in showing them you can be trusted and you have nothing to hide. The more you are able to share with them, the more involved they will feel in the decision making.

Soliciting Feedback

Not everyone is perfect; in fact, no one is perfect. There are always things we can work on to improve how we interact with our team. What better way to uncover your flaws then to ask your employees about them? Requesting feedback from others not only provides an opportunity for personal growth, it also demonstrates to your team that you are continuing to work on yourself and your management skills. It allows you to be vulnerable and may help to break down any barriers you have with your employees.

Lead by Example

As a leader, you are constantly being watched and mimicked. It is important that you are practicing what you preach and showing your team exactly how things should be handled firsthand. This shows employees that you, as a leader, are credible and follow through with what you say you’re going to do. It all goes back to trust, without trust your team structure will crumble.

Know Your Audience

Finally, if you are unable to adjust your communication style based on who you are addressing and the topic of the conversation, you will be unsuccessful at getting your point across. One member proposed that you should always be looking at body language and social clues. You can tell a lot about what someone is thinking without them even saying a word, but you have to be paying attention!